kll724

I, also, have Medicare. My fills are at no cost to me, as what medicare doesn't pay, my insurance picks up. And, I don't pay co-pay anymore, either! Before medicre, my insurance covered all fills and offic evisists for 1st 6 months, tehn I had to pay co-pay, but fills were covered, too! Karen

My husband and I went shopping yesterday(I make him take me and watch while I model for him). He picked out a dress for me. I tried it on, and it was short, I said so, he says" It only 3 inches above yoyur knees!". I chose not to get it, but smile to myself that he thinks this 63 year old should wear it! Love NSV's too! Karen

Calm down, you are doing great. The 1st fill probably won't giv ethe restriction you need, but then you never know. I took a look at your weightloss, and Wow! It has been good, so who knows. Gald to meet you, Karen

This very reason is why my surgeon recommends, or demands, that his patients have clear liquids for 2 days, and full liquids for 2 days. You should stay on liquids until your swelling goes down, maybe another 2 days. Everytime you slime, or pb, you get swelling, so, next time you try eat, you again are swollen. Take it easy! Karen

I agree with the other people. Some resturants do show the calories, especially if they are touting theor low cal menu. I still think this is disgusting! Karen

I told some folks, but not everyone. When someone complments me, I usually say "Thanks". If they ask me how, I will say like the op says, portion comtrol and exercise. Unless tehy are frinds, I don't go into the lapband thing, but I don't need to with friends, because they all know. My neighbor, who never knew me fat, said that the other neighbor told him I lost a lot of weight. He asked how, because he needs tol oose about 50 -60 lbs, I told him that I do the portion control and exercise, but that I had a lapband, too! He was real interested in that for himself. Never know! Karen

That is sooooo stupid! Why woul danyone feel thay should eat a 6000 calorie burger. Men feel they should do it just to say they did! Sorry B-52, don't mean to put down a whole group of people, but men seem to like to take challenges like that. My son, who is now on lapband, several years back ordered one of those 32 oz steaks that if you finsh you get to have a nother if you want it! Now, he can't finish a 6oz steak; he is eating like a thin person and loving it! I hope that that crazy restuarant closes before more folks suffer the fate of the 40 year old in the story! Thanks for the article. Karen

Well, I don't know what your surgeon says, because men are differnt than women. But, mine and most folks that meet me seem to think that I should be either slighly overweight or just at normal BMI because of my age and the fact that we "older" folks seem to show our wrinkles more when we are a lower BMI. I look best and fell best at just meeting normal BMI. I had to have a slight unfill to stay that way! Good luck, you have done MAGIFICENT!!!! Karen

Wow! My heroine! I want to be as successful as you. I am 2 1/2 years in, and yoyoing with 10 lbs. I have met goal but staying in maintenace is tough. I am proud of the fact that you did and are! Karen

Hmm, I think that I lost about 30-40 lbs before people really noticed my loss. I was on the pre-surgery diet and lost before my lapband surgery, so when I had the surgery, everyone said "Ooh! you are doing fantastic!" By then, I had lost over 40 lbs. Karen

I know that there are folks on here that have never had a fill. Your lapband is working,whether you realize it or not). You are doing a great job, if you and your surgeon feel that you don't need a fill yet, don't get one. My son has had only 3 since August, and I have only 5 cc in my band right now. Usually your results are from excessively heavy people with more to loose than you, so be proud and keep up your good progess. If you stop loosing, then get a fill! Good luck Karen

Yeah Cazzy, YOU have done marvelous to leave those dreaded lands behind!!!

Hah! You should see mine when I am in the swimming pool; then it really sticks out! It makes me feel good to have it there when I lay down, it gives me confidence!

WOW!!!!Great NSV for you! Karen

I took 1/2 tab during my 6 month manditory doctor monitored weight program. I did pretty good but surgeon did not want me to stay on it longer as the op said, it is addictive! Karen

Oh yea! It is the wonderful feeling of having a scale number that starts with a 1. Many of us look very forward to reaching that amazing goal! I remember when I met that goal and I was so excited as it had been many years since I had seen a number starting with a 1. Good luck to all! Karen

Wow! You look great! Congrats to the new you! Karen

Good luck, can't giv eyou advise, just wishing you the best!

Good luck, mine was infected, also. My pain was in the center and caused me to feel like a hot knife was cutting into me. I had my 1st serious attack after my husband cooked a fresh ham. I wanted to die! It hurt so bad; it was a Sunday, and I had to work. Monday, I went to the dr, and I had emrgency surgery the following Monday. It was, also, infected. I was out for 3 weeks, and when I went back to work, I ended up having a stone in my bile duct, that caused me to end up with pancretitis and jaudice. Don't fool around with it! Good luck, Karen

It could be your gall bladder, too! When I was having am attack, it woul dhurt from front to back, like a stabbing feeling. You do need to see your surgeon, ASAP! Karen

I agree! It is, also, a place where we can relax and know that many people have gone through the same thing as we are experiancing. We can express our pain and happiness and have others understand! Love this web site, visit it daily! Karen

I have no recall on this either, which my surgeon has said is good as it shows that food is loosing its importance in our lives!

My goal was to not be the "fat lady" anymore! I have met goal, but falter up/down a bit. I have had some bad experiences, such as a slipped band and resurgery. But, would I have not done this, heck NO! I am not sure what extent I would have gone. I would not have had either a liposuction, nor plastic surgery to look my best. I am not sure that I would have gone through gastric bypass, either. But I am totally settled into my new lifestyle, and will not ever have a problem with not eating steak, pizza or whatever else I can't eat now. But this is me, so others need to make there own decisions on whether they can do it or not! Karen

Sorry for your experience! I am surgprised that your surgeon did not see this when he had you there the last time. GOod luck, I had my gall bladder out several years ago, but only had lapband 2 1/2 years ago. And, my daughter had her gall baladdder out before her lapband, too, but same surgeon both times. Karen

Wow!!!You are doing great! Congrats! Karen